A little more junk...

After a month of just enjoying a BEAUTIFUL Seattle Summer, Chelsa had an appointment with her oncologist on Friday. Unfortunately, her blood levels and M-Spike were not good--which was showing up as very low energy during the day--she was convinced to start chemo treatments again.  She is feeling pretty discouraged about how quickly she needed to start the chemo again, about her looks (weight gain and the various effects that all of this has had on her body)*,  and about having to spend 2-3 hours twice a week waiting and getting poked with needles at the medical center again.

The good news is that her immunotherapy vaccine should be ready this month and her oncologist was MUCH more supportive after learning that the Health and Wellness Center has been working with doctors at Dana-Farber on developing the vaccine. (He personally knows one of the main doctors at Dana-Farber who has been behind much of the research and discoveries in this area). This felt very encouraging to us both as Chelsa's oncologist and naturopath doc have feuded in the past and seeing both doctors has been a tension. Getting her oncologist on-board for this vaccine feels like a HUGE answer to prayer!

Many of you have asked about our needs and how you can help... currently we are waiting to receive our first bill / expense report for her immunotherapy vaccine. From what we understand so far, we have about half of it paid for thanks to the many SUPER GENEROUS donations!  I will share an update once we receive a statement about exactly how much we have left to raise and when we need to have it paid by. In the meantime, you are always welcome to give toward her treatments--either directly to her vaccine fund by contacting the Health and Wellness Center or to her overall treatment fund through the online giving. (There are links to this information above and on the right of the screen).

Chelsa could also use a companion to accompany her to the chemo treatments on Tuesdays and Fridays at 9:15am (these usually take from about 1.5 - 3hrs). Please call or text her if you would be willing to go along to keep her company.

As always, we really appreciate prayer for her health, strength to endure this (for us both), boldness and wisdom in sharing our faith that Jesus is in control and using this for good, and ultimately that she will be cured from this disease.

Thanks for the love and support!
Matt

*While I totally understand Chelsa's discouragement regarding her health, that her eyes still are not free from styes and infections, and that her energy has been low... I personally think she still looks smokin' hot and appreciate that little extra junk in her trunk. ;)